Kompetensi Penyuluh dalam Pengembangan Tanaman Padi di Kota Palopo: Competence of Agricultural Extension Workers in the Development of Rice Crops in Palopo City - Henny Mahyudin; Idawati, Idawati; Arzam, Taruna S. (Perbal: Jurnal Pertanian Berkelanjutan, 2025)
Pangan merupakan kebutuhan dasar manusia yang pemenuhannya dijamin oleh Undang-Undang Dasar 1945. Padi sebagai pangan pokok utama masyarakat Indonesia sangat bergantung pada peran penyuluh pertanian dalam meningkatkan produksi melalui transfer teknologi dan pendampingan petani. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis tingkat kompetensi penyuluh pertanian lapangan (PPL) dalam pengembangan padi di Kota Palopo, Penelitian dilakukan di Kota Palopo, Provinsi Sulawesi Selatan, yang dipilih secara sengaja karena tantangan pertanian di wilayah perkotaan, seperti alih fungsi lahan, keterbatasan ruang, dan tingkat adopsi teknologi yang berbeda dibandingkan daerah pedesaan. Populasi penelitian adalah seluruh PPL Kota Palopo sebanyak 48 orang dan digunakan metode sensus. Data primer diperoleh melalui wawancara dan observasi lapangan, sedangkan data sekunder dikumpulkan dari instansi terkait. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa tingkat kompetensi penyuluh tergolong tinggi pada semua dimensi. Kompetensi sosial memperoleh skor tertinggi sebesar 79,61%, disusul kompetensi teknis 72,37%, dan manajerial 60,53%, dengan rata-rata keseluruhan 70,39% (kategori tinggi). Kompetensi sosial mendukung keberhasilan penyuluh dalam membangun komunikasi dan partisipasi petani, sedangkan aspek manajerial masih perlu ditingkatkan, terutama dalam perencanaan program dan pemanfaatan teknologi digital. Hasil ini menegaskan pentingnya pengembangan kapasitas penyuluh secara berkelanjutan melalui pelatihan tematik, pendidikan lanjutan, dan literasi digital untuk mendukung produktivitas padi dan ketahanan pangan di Kota Palopo. Food is a basic human need guaranteed by the 1945 Constitution. Rice, as the primary staple food in Indonesian society, relies heavily on agricultural extension workers to boost production through technology transfer and farmer support. This study aims to analyze the competence level of field agricultural extension workers in rice development in Palopo City. The research was conducted in Palopo City, South Sulawesi Province, chosen intentionally because of the unique challenges of urban agriculture, such as land conversion, limited space, and varying levels of technology adoption compared to rural areas. The population included all 48 PPL in Palopo City, employing a census approach. Primary data were gathered through interviews and field observations, while secondary data were collected from relevant institutions. Results indicate that the competence levels of extension workers are in the high category across all dimensions. Social competence scored the highest at 79.61%, followed by technical competence at 72.37%, and managerial competence at 60.53%, with an overall average of 70.39% (classified as high). Social competence greatly supports extension workers in effective communication and farmer engagement, whereas managerial competence requires improvement, especially in program planning and digital technology use. These findings highlight the need for ongoing capacity building for extension workers through targeted training, further education, and digital literacy to enhance rice production and food security in Palopo City.